Singapore introduced a new parliament bill on Sept 13 that empowers the government to investigate and stop foreign actors from influencing national politics and inflaming social issues, in the latest move to assert control over potentially threatening content online.

The Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Bill will give officials the power to order social media platforms like Facebook Inc and Internet service providers to disclose harmful information it suspects may be carried out by foreign actors or entities, the Home Affairs Ministry said in statement.

The new bill comes close to two years after Singapore’s anti-fake news laws, which has allowed the government to direct these providers to block online content if publishers don’t post a government-issued correction alongside the original article deemed to have carried a false or misleading claims.

Social media platforms have openly expressed concerns over the fake news law, saying government actions taken since its passage in 2019 contradict the claim it would not be used as a censorship tool.

Singapore’s ministers have long defended the need for these laws and the latest bill, saying the country is especially vulnerable to fake news and hostile information campaigns given that it is plugged into global trade as a financial hub, has a multiethnic population and enjoys widespread Internet access.

“The bill will strengthen our ability to prevent, detect and disrupt foreign interference in our domestic politics conducted through hostile information campaigns and the use of local proxies,” the ministry said.

The legislation, which is likely to be passed due to ruling party’s parliamentary majority, also allows the government to order social media and Internet providers to carry a message to warn Singaporean citizens about hostile information campaigns. “This is especially necessary when the content can cause immediate and significant harm in Singapore, such as inciting violence or causing hostility between groups,” the ministry said.

If the government has reason to believe that social media or Internet user accounts are being used for such hostile activities, it will be able to order providers to block content in these accounts from being viewed in Singapore.

The Home Affairs Ministry, which sponsored the bill, sought to reassure the public that the new legislation doesn’t apply to citizens airing their views on political matters, “unless they are agents of a foreign principal.” Neither would it apply to foreign individuals and publications commenting and reporting on Singapore politics “even if their comments may be critical of Singapore or the Government”.

 - Bloomberg